§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment his Department has made of the performance of the Edison Project in running schools in the United States of America; what discussions he has held on its possible use to run schools in(a) education action zones and (b) other areas where those schools are deemed to have failed; what is his policy towards the use of profit-making organisations to run state schools; and if he will make a statement. [65917]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Department has not carried out any assessment of the activities of the Edison Project in the United States of America, although we have seen reports of some published evaluations. Officials have talked to representatives of the Project about the scope for private sector involvement in EAZs and in turning round failing schools. In all cases it has been made clear that as a matter of law the responsibility for running maintained schools rests with the governing body, which is responsible for spending the school budget in the best interests of pupils.
In addition, we have made it clear that "schools run schools", under the Education Act and in accordance with the new fair funding arrangements.